Yearly Auto Inspection: Al Wakra vs Other Locations
My 2004 Chevrolet Lumina passed inspection again, but I'm thinking that next year I need to think more strategically about passing inspection. This year, the inspectors seemed to go everything extra carefully, and they seemed to need some type of brief deliberation before stamping my vehicle as "Passed".
I went to the Fahes location in Duhail because there was no wait. But I'm thinking that next year I should go to Al Wakra, as I keep reading this recommendation. Is there some reason to believe that it might be easier to get older cars to pass inspection in Al Wakra than other locations? If so, what might be the reason?
The phone number for Salamco (auto parts), for which I have confirmed there is still only one location, industrial area, is 4460-4368.
@dominic thanks bro. I will check those shops later and for the brake booster I think I dont need it as of now. Thank again :)
@kai016 Try American Technical in Barwa Village, which might be a more expensive option, Car Max on Airport Road, which might might be the cheapest but not necessarily the best quality but good enough (but they will be upfront with you regarding all costs), and Armenia Garage in the Industrial Area, Street 30 Wakalat, small garage easy to miss (try this mobile 77819572). Armenia Garage is probably your best bet among these choices. The owner has a reputation for being able to fix anything.
Try to get all your parts at Salamco near 15 Street in the Industrial Area. I heard rumors a year ago that Salamco will have a second location somewhere closer to the center of Doha. I need to check this, as I need to pick up an oil filter and don't want to make a trip to the industrial area just for that.
Let me know if you ever need a brake booster for your 2004 Lumina. I got a used one from Australia. For a 2004 Lumina, it is about time to replace the brake booster, if you haven't already.
FYI, for your oil changes, see my reply on the topic elsewhere in "Motoring." I supply the oil and filter and pay a mechanic 30 to 40 QR for labor. Mechanics may balk immediately at the request to change an oil filter on a Chevrolet, because the task is a PITA on newer Chevrolet's, but that's not the case with older Luminas that were manufactured in Australia. Show the mechanics where your oil filer is, so they can see for themselves that it is an easy task.
@dominic we both have the same car. do you know any garage that can fix bearing cushion problem? thanks in advance.
The new Wakra inspection center is strict. They failed my car because my rear light housing was a bit loose. There was a technician right there who fixed it for 10 Qr. It hardly took 5 minutes and they passed the vehicle.
The best option is to go directly for the first inspection, let there be a list of items to be fixed, then you can do it from any auto shop located on the main Wakrah road, since they are well versed with the inspection related repairs.
Thank you, EquinOx.
This leads to my next question.
Is there a recommended garage that will do a good pre-inspection service that guarantees its pre-inspection to pass the official inspection?
Wakrah's old inspection center was lenient which is why people thought that way. But, now a well equipped new inspection center is manned by well trained technicians who thoroughly check the vehicle for any major faults before passing.
Some people who failed on other centers recently tried to get through the Wakrah center, but could not succeed.
britexpat: That's what I thought, but I've noticed people recommending going to Al Wakra to avoid a possible failing of the inspection. I need to read through more posts on QL to get a better understanding of why Al Wakra is recommended.
I do have one experience from the UAE, where a certain mechanic/garage had special connections with particular inspectors at a particular inspection station and he was able to sell cars that would not otherwise pass inspection. So I can see how it is possible for inspectors to operate differently at different locations.
I find it rather strange that inspectors at one place would be more lenient than another location.. Surely, they are trained to check and pass using the same criteria...